Sony 50mm f1.4 GM REVIEW vs Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art

[@cameralabs]

My Sony FE 50mm f1.4 G Master review vs the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM at B&H: bhpho.to/3IIEpss // WEX UK: tidd.ly/3lXzvyK Buy Gordon a coffee: www.paypal.me/cameralabs Gordon's In Camera book: amzn.to/2n61PfI / Amazon uk: amzn.to/2mBqRVZ Cameralabs merchandise: redbubble.com/people/cameralabs/shop Gordon’s retro gear channel: kzbin.info Check MPB to buy and sell used gear: bit.ly/3ULU9yL Check eBay to find vintage gear: rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=1&pub=5574908462&toolid=10001&campid=5338329149&customid=&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg Lost photos? I recover mine with: www.dpbolvw.net/click-100568658-13808570?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.stellarinfo.com%2Fphoto-recovery-software.php Equipment used for producing my videos Sony A6400: prf.hn/l/pRO0wp5 Sony e 24mm f1.8: amzn.to/2TqWNzk Rode NT USB mic: amzn.to/3AdHcUp Rode Wireless Go II mic: amzn.to/3xkCvGo Rode Lavalier Go mic: amzn.to/3ygzzKY Godox UL150 light: amzn.to/2VpVbXE Godox QR-P70 softbox: amzn.to/3yQfGdF MacBook Pro 14in (16GB / 1TB): amzn.to/3PrKbPV 00:00 - Introduction and alternatives 01:25 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM design and controls 03:25 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM autofocus 05:24 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM focus breathing and compensation 07:00 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM landscape distant quality 08:42 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM portrait quality 10:20 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM bokeh quality 11:56 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM macro closeup quality 12:59 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM Chromatic aberration 14:03 - Sony FE 50mm f1.4 GM sample images and verdict Music: www.davidcuttermusic.com / @dcuttermusic As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

[@rezjrprod]

Thanks!

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou, much appreciated!

[@Ram.Saketh]

Thanks for your wonderful reviews

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou, very much appreciated!

[@paullesliehutson5818]

Thanks

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou!

[@rehmanukani3289]

Been following your work since 2007-2008. As always, very helpful. That form factor of sony is fantastic and very tempting. I wish sigma would make smaller lenses.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks for following for so long!

[@jermainenaidoo]

Thank you so much for the review!!! Including the 50mm 1.2 was a nice touch

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, it seemed rude not to!

[@j16m02]

Good grief! It seems every year it gets harder and harder to make a choice based on image quality, particularly if you don't go beyond 100% and leave lens correction on. Do you think you could tell which of these two lenses was used to take an image without having a side by side comparison? Personally, it's gotten down to price and size. LOL, even filter size becomes a consideration since so many of my lenses now share a 67mm filter size. (thank you Tamron). Great review.....as usual!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, and yes I agree!

[@mattstolzman]

DGDN, but in 85mm 1.4 flavour ;) That 50 DG DN's HLA focusing is great, I have to test that 50 myself in SIgma store next time I'm in Warsaw.

[@bondgabebond4907]

Great review. Both Sony and Sigma are great and exceed most peoples expectations. If it is about money, then Sigma all the way. That extra money not spent can go for another lens or dinner at an expensive steak restaurant.

[@SyntheticFuture]

That breathing compensation is super nice. Recently shot a bit on the 28mm 2.0 and even when moving like 5 centimeters the focus breathing would change the framing enough to make it pretty noticeable. It basically felt like the camera was on a unstable platform that was swaying back and forth. Had to get out warp stabilizer in after effects to get things back in check 😅 That feature would have made a huge difference in that situation.

[@cameralabs]

Glad to help!

[@stkuj]

Remember that there is a crop when using breathing compensation, but yes - very nice to have!

[@Icygaminguy]

Your review helped me with my first DSLR Canon 1000d. I had that for years.

[@cameralabs]

Glad to help, and even gladder you're still watching!

[@Glen.Danielsen]

Thanks so much Gordon! 💛🙏🏽

[@cameralabs]

Glad to help!

[@Battlem0nk]

1.2 vs 1.4 bokeh blur @ 11:52 of the window curtain contrasts the difference well.

[@cameralabs]

Yes, I'm glad that showed up!

[@sarrieeldin]

Thanks for the great review ( as usual ) . Do you think upgrading from the song 50mm f2.5 G to this lens for someone shooting events indoors/outdoors?

[@cameralabs]

Depends what you're looking for! It's a much higher-end lens BUT are you satisfied by the performance of your 2.5? Will the 1.4 address any issues you haver based on what i showed you in the review?

[@SilatShooter]

I tested the 50mm f1.4GM to the 1.2 and agree it's super close but I did find the color very different, much cooler. Haven't heard this come up in any reviews, wondering if my copy was unique in that way?

[@henrydavidthoreau4289]

Nice review! 😁🙂 How does the Sigma 50mm 1.4 DG DN vs the zeiss 55mm 1.8? In terms of photos and video? 🙏 Thanks!!

[@21Virtues]

I really like this new 1.4 sony but also loving the sigma 1.2,. I would be interested in your views on those between each other given thr price is similar.

[@cameralabs]

I think I made a review of the 1.2, and try to do similar tests to help you compare

[@richardgrant418]

Gordon, you mentioned that recent cameras can digitally correct for focus breathing. Most reviewers still judge the amount of focus breathing, but I haven’t read or heard anyone else mention the correction - so is it quite new? which models in the Alpha 7 series first featured breathing correction,in the normal, S and R ranges? Cheers

[@cameralabs]

Some reviews aren't as thorough! Breathing corrections for Sony started from A7IV I think.

[@Xetenor]

Great insightful review. Thanks gordon!

[@cameralabs]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rezjrprod]

Tipped ya..i already have it but you're literally the only tuber i trust..

[@cameralabs]

Thanks!

[@arindams123]

Very very helpful. I made my decision.

[@cameralabs]

Which one are you getting?

[@arindams123]

@@cameralabs the native one. Was eyeing the 1.2 but that's a overkill for me

[@SamandSteve]

Sigma definitely looks warmer to me. I have the 85mm 1.4 and its the same.

[@FerventAstronomy]

Gordon, is that a palm tree in your back garden?! It’s wild to me that I live only 3° N of you (on the other side of the pond) but it’s -30°C this week 😂 Great review as always!

[@cameralabs]

It is a palm tree of sorts, yes! It was there in the garden when we bought the house. There's a few trees like these dotted around the Uk coast, even where it's quite chilly at times. In terms of temperature, Brighton is the second sunniest place in the UK, behind Eastbourne I believe, just along the coast a bit. We have some nice days, but also some horrors, so I've no idea how these plants survive!

[@FerventAstronomy]

That’s quite interesting! I would imagine you can get some powerful storms coming off the water. It always fascinates me how things like the ocean conveyor can make places so varied. Cheers!

[@cameralabs]

@@FerventAstronomy yes, we have some pretty strong storms on the coast, you'll see some examples in some of my reviews where the water is splashing quite vigorously against the pier!

[@paololarocca7684]

Sony at its best, a really stunning lens ! I wish Sony adds more options at the wide end , for example an 18mm or a new 24mm ....

[@cameralabs]

Yep, I'm always up for more wide options.

[@vanesspan2957]

Great review! I am wondering if the closest focusing distance of 501.4gm is soft. I would like to know if the same issue exists for 501.2. Thank you!

[@cameralabs]

I normally try to include some photos at the minimum distance in all my reviews - have you seen my one with the 50 1.2?

[@vanesspan2957]

@@cameralabs Not yet, but I will watch it. Thanks for response.

[@tuan056585]

Shopping for a 50mm F1.4. After watching a bunch of KZbin, I think Sigma is the smart choice, but somehow my eyes keep looking at Sony 50mmGM. I currently have A74 with 35mmGM (and a kit lens). Another thing you should mention is Sigma lens is Made in Japan where as Sony lens is Made in China. This will make me thinking twice about Sony lens.!

[@cameralabs]

Isn't the Sony made in Thailand? Also, if you love the 35 gm, this will look and feel very familiar to you.

[@goodbokeh]

Gordon, on your landscape distant quality test you turned off distortion compensation, saying the Sony 50/1.4 did well without it. So do you think I would be OK not waiting for Adobe's raw lens profile to show up before using the lens for architecture? Thank you.

[@cameralabs]

Well, depends on your expectations. It was fine for my more organic subjects without profiles, bit for architecture you may want to wait. Shoot JPEG+RAW either way to give you flexibility.

[@goodbokeh]

Thanks Gordon, that helps and I do shoot Raw + Jpeg.

[@bioliv1]

I cannot justify to get this lens, when I can get the Tamron 35-150 mm for exactly the same price here in Norway!

[@cameraprepper7938]

Hi, I do not like the focal length 50mm, any focal length shorter or longer (fx 45mm and shorter and 55mm and longer), I have the Sony Zeiss Sonnar 55mm 1.8 which today still are excellent, it is more compact and lighter than the 50mm 1.4 Lenses and today you can get one new for about half the price of the new Sony 50mm 1.4 GM. If you like me like to focus manual, then get the Voigtländer APO-Lathanthar 50mm 2.0, it is light, compact and built like a tank, the optical image quality of the Voigtländer are just as good as the new Sony 50mm 1.2 GM.

[@cameralabs]

I have a soft spot for the 55 1.8, and it's certainly very compact and sharp, but I was never that fond of the rendering for the price. I always wanted it to be better, but I still like it a lot. It was one of the first lenses which helped launch the system.

[@cameraprepper7938]

@@cameralabs I hope for a new Lens from Sony (and Zeiss) in the 55/60/65mm focal length, it should be at least with AF/MF button, but I really also want an aperture ring. For the GM series of Lenses I hope in the future that they will be lighter and more compact.

[@clarkejones8090]

Well done and well summarized Gordon (as. usual). You have helpfully made the choices clear. Thank you. This lens might be a reason to buy a Sony FE body.

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, glad to help,

[@rubenramirez8241]

So which one would you choose to buy? The Sigma or Sony?

[@cameralabs]

Don't I weigh up the pros and cons of each in the video?

[@rogeryoung3587]

Gordon, why don't you have a link to your Dino Bytes channel in the About or Channels section of your account? I can't see an email address either.

[@cameralabs]

Good point, although I do have a playlist of old cameras on my channel which are featured from Dino Bytes

[@AlanBruceSings]

This is just an FYI, OK? There is also an other 50mm e-mount lense, that you should consider and that is the Samyang 50mm 1.4 FE II. It's smaller than the new Sony GM 1.4 and lighter. it's also much less expensive. By the way, it's razor sharp. Here's the specs: weight: 419g. 80mmwide and 90mm long. The filter is 71mm. The cost is $589.00 list price...Not too shabby! Lastly, don't forget about the Sony 55mm 1.8. It's only 280grams, 70mm long and 64mm wide. Even if it's a little "long in the tooth" it's a razor sharp optic. You can pick up a used one for $550.00.

[@cameralabs]

Yep, I'm a fan of the 55 1.8, not so much for its rendering and price, but for its size and sharpness. It was also one of the lenses which launched the system. I mentioned it in my Sigma 50 1.4 video.

[@CorentinHarbelot]

Really good review 💪🏻

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou!

[@CorentinHarbelot]

@@cameralabs very welcome, now I want it 🤣😇

[@cameralabs]

@@CorentinHarbelot yeah it is pretty nice!

[@kaneda8625]

what is better in your opinion? Sony 50 1.2 or 50 1.4? in some reviews i read the new 1.4 GM is sharper and the colour is better. What is your opinione about?

[@cameralabs]

I'd get the 1.4 and spend the difference on a weekend away with it! Anything left after that? A generous coffee donation to your favourite KZbinr?!

[@kaneda8625]

@@cameralabs I already have the 50 1.2, but the weight and the size... mmmh.

[@cameralabs]

@@kaneda8625 if you already own something, I would stick with it - no point searching for validation as you may find an opposite opinion and feel worse about it. As you know from my 1.2 review, i think it's a brilliant lens, and while I would personally choose the 1.4 over it now for size, weight and price, if I already had it, I'd be very happy with it. If the heft really bothers you, consider selling it.

[@ralf_fr]

Regarding vignetting I'd lean towards the 1.2. I would feel more comfortable with it using it below 2.0.

[@halimrahman]

In terms of sharpness, what is your opinion between this 50mm F1.4 versus ZA 55mm F1.8?

[@cameralabs]

The new GM beats it

[@nat-lj8kt]

Compared to 1.2 GM which one is better corrected for color? Especially LOCA. This lens feels like thr child of 50mm f2 APO & 50mm f1.2 GM but not sure which one it is closer to. Also how does it handle backlight?

[@cameralabs]

I can only comment on the tests I actually show in my review videos, as that's all I've done. I try to take similar shots with all the lenses I've tested, so compare the samples I provide for both lenses.

[@nat-lj8kt]

@@cameralabs heh modern optics are at a point where they are all really good and very hard to see differences on a youtube video. I lean more towards 1.2 GM as I value fully circular bokeh at f2 and can make use of a half more stop of light (when focusing but also shooting at night). 50 1.4 GM looks like a winner though

[@cameralabs]

@@nat-lj8kt I provide downloadable sample images via my review pages for each lens at cameralabs.com

[@darylnd]

I'm thinking I'll shop for a nice, used 55mm 1.8 ZA. I'm a fan of the Sonnar concept anyway, and this 50mm GM is just too big and bulky for my taste.

[@iguanaman08]

The Sony looks warmer with better colours and skin tones.

[@kevinrtres]

I still have the cheap Sony 50mm f/1.4 from the previous DSLR A-series cameras. It's sharp and still works though the adapter limits it somewhat. I think these expensive Sony lenses are just the biggest rip-off. I hope Sigma makes lots of money selling their less-expensive lens.

[@SinaFarhat]

Nice! Thanks for great review and comparison!

[@cameralabs]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@Nuttomaki1]

Nice Review , Thank you :D

[@cameralabs]

You're very welcome!

[@j.kimmer1509]

Ahh... 3rd party lens "cripple"... sort of ... those that cheer about 3rd party lens keeps getting hit by Sony. Great review!!!

[@careylymanjones]

If you're shooting any Sony body older than the A7IV, there's no difference, because the older bodies don't have the "crippled" features, at all. They don't have the high burst rates or the focus breathing compensation, so you're not losing anything with 3rd party lenses. And the price of those newer bodies is still high enough that if I upgraded to them, I wouldn't be able to afford GM lenses, anyway. Sony is still the value leader.

[@minusinfinity6974]

Good to see Sony realising the need for a high quality f/1.4 in addition to f/1.2. Nikon fanboys claims there is absolutely no need for an f/1.4 version since they claim the new 50 f/1.8 S is the new f/1.4. I would never buy the Nikon 50 f/1.2, as apart form size and weight, it's stupidly expensive in Australia. This Sony 50 f/1.4 will be around $1200 cheaper than the Nikon 50 f/1.2. And yes I run both systems, and pick which lens I prefer for each system. But I can use Sony glass on my Nikons, so Sony 50 f/1.4 GM all the way for me.

[@cameralabs]

I agree, there's room in every system for THREE 50's.

[@tommyzip3898]

최고의 리뷰입니다. 이 리뷰를 보고 50.4를 구매하기로 마음먹었네요. ㅎㅎ

[@cameralabs]

Thankyou! I hope you enjoy your 50 1.4, it's really good.

[@TourDeMadone]

I am a user living in Japan. I've pre-purchased. I am looking forward to its arrival. Thank you Mr. Gordon for your always detailed and wonderful reviews(*^_^*)

[@cameralabs]

Do itashimashite!

[@TourDeMadone]

​@@cameralabsDoumo Arigatou(*^_^*)

[@kjltube]

Thanks Gordon. Now we just need a compact 50mm f1.8g for $750. I sense Sigma may soon have this covered however.

[@cameralabs]

So many choices!

[@saifaldin_]

Big YES to this..

[@Reviews4fun1]

If I was in the market for a 50 I’d grab that Sigma, unless I was running a Gimbal a lot or needed smallest possible for video work. Thanks for the review.

[@youuuuuuuuuuutube]

Summary: do you have the cash? Yes => get the Sony because it's better. No => get the Sigma, it's still pretty good.

[@michaelcoussement4335]

Hi Gordon, hijacking this video to ask if you have any idea when we could perhaps expect a full-length RF 135mm F1.8L IS video? :-) Thanks as always for the great content!

[@cameralabs]

Hijack away! Canon still haven't loaned me one, so i fear it may now be getting a bit late to do a full review...

[@michaelcoussement4335]

@@cameralabs they are extremely rare in the wild still too, so I'm sure it's never going to be too late! Hope to receive mine soon to complement my RF 50mm F1.2L. Seems like a nice duo for my work!

[@_jbflickz]

Okay thats it… I’m going with sony cus small and lightweight

[@ourtvchannel]

I remember buying a 1.4f 50mm Canon EF lens for about £299 Sony seriously need to look at their pricing. This will sell well but I am not buying yet another massively overpriced lens.

[@cameralabs]

I know that lens well, and yes it was priced quite affordably, BUT this model is in a completely different class. The old Canon 50 1.4 was optically quite poor in many respects, whereas this new Sony - and the new Sigma - are optically far superior. That said, it's true they're much more expensive and if you liked the results from the old Canon lens, you're able to successfully adapt it to a variety of mirrorless systems. In fact I may well make a comparison in the near future, as it was a nice and small lens too.

[@ourtvchannel]

@@cameralabs I have no doubt it's a great lens, I have the 85mm 1.4f , 24mm 1.4f and 16 to 35mm 2.8f , 24 to 70mm 2.8f and 70 to 200mm 2.8f - all GMaster lenses, all great and all very expensive. My point really is the 1.4f 50mm was always a "starter" serious lens and a chance to see why spending a bit more was worth it. That has been "lost" with this approach of very high pricing. Sony should have "given" the 50mm 1.4f away at a much lower price to excite new owners into paying for a non kit lens keepiing the higher prices for when they need another lens. IMO. I still have the Canon 1.4f ef but I also own the Sony FE 50mm F/1.4 ZA Zeiss Planar and had no issues with that.

[@cameralabs]

@@ourtvchannel I agree, I'd like to see more step-up options from the budget lenses, but with the premium models now attaining very high prices, the mid-range ones have edged up too!

[@frankfeng2701]

Samyang 50 1.4 ii is great value and has better focus breathing control than any of the GM/Sigma/Zeiss lens.

[@RM-ud2cm]

since sensor resolution has increased, lenses can't be easily designed to shoot wide open. f2.0 is the new f1.4.

[@frankfeng2701]

Samyang 50 1.4 ii is definitely worth considering for the price (40%), weight (100g lighter), and focus breathing control.

[@cameralabs]

Sadly they won't send anything for review,.

[@jaegerschtulmann]

First😂

[@cameralabs]

Welcome!